Best Low-Cost Platforms to Start Your E-Commerce Store (And How to Pick the Right One)

Start your shop without draining your budget

So you’re ready to launch your online store—but you don’t want to spend hundreds upfront just to get your first product listed. I’ve been there. The good news is there are several affordable (and beginner-friendly) platforms that make it easy to start small and grow as you go.

Whether you’re planning to sell handmade items, thrifted finds, print-on-demand designs, or digital products, this guide will help you figure out which low-cost platform fits you best.

1. Etsy

Cost: Free to start + $0.20 per listing + small transaction fees
Best for: Handmade goods, vintage items, digital downloads
Ease of Use: Very beginner-friendly
Why I Like It: Built-in customer base. You don’t need to bring your own traffic at the beginning. The setup is fast, and you can be selling in a single afternoon.

Heads up: Etsy’s fees can add up as you grow, and you have less control over branding.

2. Shopify Starter Plan ($5/month)

Cost: $5/month + transaction fees
Best for: Selling through social media (Instagram, Facebook)
Ease of Use: Extremely easy for beginners
Why I Like It: You can create simple product links without building a full website. It’s a great stepping stone if you want to test products before going all-in with a full site.

Note: You’ll need to upgrade later if you want a full storefront.

3. Big Cartel

Cost: Free for up to 5 products; paid plans start at $9.99/month
Best for: Artists, makers, and creatives selling a small collection
Ease of Use: Easy to use with a clean interface
Why I Like It: Free plan with no hidden fees and a nice, simple storefront. Perfect for testing the waters if you have fewer items.

4. WooCommerce (for WordPress)

Cost: Free plugin (but you’ll need to pay for hosting, domain, and possibly themes)
Best for: Bloggers or sellers who already use WordPress
Ease of Use: Medium—some learning curve
Why I Like It: Total control over your store. You own your site, your design, and your data. Great for long-term growth if you’re willing to do a little tech setup.

5. Stan Store

Cost: $29/month (no free plan, but very streamlined)
Best for: Creators and coaches selling digital products or services
Ease of Use: Very easy and built for solo entrepreneurs
Why I Like It: Great for selling digital downloads, guides, or 1:1 services with a clean, modern interface. One link does it all—great for creators on TikTok or Instagram.

How to Pick the Right One

Ask yourself:

• Am I selling handmade or digital goods? → Etsy or Stan

• Do I want full control? → WooCommerce

• Do I want to keep it super simple? → Shopify Starter or Big Cartel

• Is built-in traffic important? → Etsy

You can always start with one and shift as you grow.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to drop hundreds of dollars to start selling online. These platforms all make it possible to start with as little as $0 and scale up at your own pace.

Start small, keep it simple, and let your store grow with you.